Manassas Journal Messenger | FEATURES Banding together

After battling cancer, cyclist Lance Armstrong became an active spokesman for cancer research. His yellow “Livestrong” wristbands, a symbol of unity supporting a cause, became an accessory crossing ages, genders and races.

Nancy Griggs of Montclair is hoping people will unite for a local cause, raising money for a recording studio at Forest Park High School in honor of her son, Wes Griggs, 17, who died in a car accident in October. The Forest Park senior was an active drummer in the marching band, wind ensemble and jazz bands.

As a fund-raiser, Griggs is selling red wristbands imprinted with “Wes – Your Rhythm, Our Hearts.”

“It will be something I can put my heart and soul into and do for other people,” Griggs said.

“Wes – Your rhythm, our hearts” wristbands $3.50 available at:

• Forest Park High School (703) 583-3200 • Brentsville High School (703) 594-2161 • Montclair Elementary School (703) 730-1072 • Porter Traditional School (703) 580-6501 • Dale City Music (703) 680-2212 • Brother’s Encore Italian Restaurant (703) 680-0032 • Or reach Tamara Kennedy at (703) 909-5232 or [email protected] • Donations can be sent to Forest Park High School Band Boosters, 15721 Spriggs Road, Woodbridge, Va. 22193

She is reaching a point now where she can talk about her son without crying, and feels strong enough to take on a project in his name, she said.

Griggs set up a fund immediately after her son’s death with the school’s Band Boosters for the recording studio in lieu of flowers. Griggs estimates $40,000 is necessary for a recording studio. They’ve currently collected about $10,000.

The wristband idea was initially Tamara Kennedy’s, whose daughter dated Wes. The project is a way for her friend to heal and turn grief into a product, she said.

“It’s a good way to constructively do something that focuses on his talents,” Kennedy said, “maybe as an inspiration to others.”

Sara Little, Forest Park’s psychologist, said the school set up crisis intervention teams for students and faculty after Wes’ death. He was a well-liked and sociable student, according to Potomac News & Manassas Journal Messenger articles from October.

His Volkswagen Jetta crashed into a utility pole on Cardinal Drive killing him, along with Forest Park graduate Vernon Williams Jr., 18, and Manassas Park resident Marshall Rollings, 23. Speed and alcohol were factors in the accident, according to police reports.

Griggs’ ability to turn her grief into momentum for a recording studio shows a healthy sign of healing, Little said, noting AIDS Quilt projects and Mothers Against Drunk Driving were both born out of grief.

“It helps you go on, but you’re remembering the person who died,” Little said. “It’s important for the community to celebrate that life and show a continuation of that life.”

A recording studio at the school was a vision of J.R. Snow, director of bands. He taught Wes throughout high school, and said his student showed interest in the project.

The studio will be used to record band, choir and orchestra concerts and make compact discs of those concerts to resell. Proceeds would return to the studio fund for upkeep. Currently the programs hire outside companies to do the job.

Snow also hopes for a recording industry course to introduce students into the technological side of the music business. Having the studio in honor of Wes is appropriate since family and friends all said he would pursue a career in the industry.

“He had a talent that I, as a teacher, am not going to see but a handful of times,” Snow said.

Griggs said her son practiced relentlessly. He often had his “Hilikus” band mates in his basement practicing for weekend gigs in the area.

She donated her son’s personal recording equipment to the school to start the project. The amount of money needed and equipment is intimidating, she said.

“It’s a goal that I want to work for and I think he would be very happy that we’re doing that,” Griggs said.

Staff writer Emily Brown can be reached at (703) 878-4650.

Wristbands available at:

• Forest Park High School (703) 583-3200

• Brentsville High School (703) 594-2161

• Montclair Elementary School (703) 730-1072

• Porter Traditional School (703) 580-6501

• Dale City Music (703) 680-2212

• Brother’s Encore Italian Restaurant (703) 680-0032

• Or reach Tamara Kennedy at [email protected] or (703) 909-5232.

• Donations can be sent to Forest Park High School Band Boosters, 15721 Spriggs Road, Woodbridge, Va. 22193